Nine Nagaland MLAs, including Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, have written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding urgent action against fellow Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen, alleging that her office is colluding with a Kuki militant group led by her husband, Thangboi Kipgen. In the letter, the legislators describe the situation in Manipur as having reached a ‘critical and volatile stage’, and warn that without decisive intervention, the state risks descending into an uncontrollable situation.&nbsp;The MLAs have made five main demands. They have called for the immediate arrest of Kuki-Zo leaders who they say have publicly claimed responsibility for the killing and dismemberment of six Naga citizens, as well as the arrest of Thangboi Kipgen, whom they identify with the militant outfit KNF-P. The letter alleges that cadres under a commander identified as 'Tiger' Kipgen carried out the killings, and makes serious, unverified claims about his conduct, demanding he be apprehended and punished under law.&nbsp;The legislators have also sought direct action against Nemcha Kipgen, alleging that her office's alignment with her husband's militant group has undermined public confidence in the state's peace process. Additionally, they have demanded the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations agreement, the tripartite arrangement between the Centre, the Manipur government and Kuki militant groups, citing repeated violations and continuing attacks on civilians.&nbsp;To support their case, the MLAs cited a string of recent incidents, including the killing of four Naga men in an ambush on IT Road on August 27, whose bodies they say remain unclaimed in protest over the lack of arrests in the earlier killings. They also referenced an ambush on NH-202 near TM Kasom on April 18, 2026, which left two dead, and an attack on the Naga village of Langka on August 14, 2026, in which two farmers were killed and the village allegedly burnt down. These claims, as detailed in the letter, have not been independently verified.&nbsp;The legislators concluded with a pointed warning about their continued political support to the state government, saying they would be unable to defend their backing of the administration to the public if their demands were not met. They described the appeal as being made solely in the interest of restoring peace in Manipur. The letter comes against the backdrop of prolonged ethnic tensions between the Meitei, Naga and Kuki-Zo communities, which have persisted since violence first erupted in the state in May 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;Manipur's coalition government includes representation from multiple communities, including at the deputy chief minister level. Neither Nemcha Kipgen's office nor Thangboi Kipgen has issued a public response to the allegations so far. This is a developing story.

Nine Nagaland MLAs, including Deputy CM Losii Dikho, write to Amit Shah seeking action against fellow Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen

Nine Nagaland MLAs, including Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, have written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding urgent action against fellow Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen, alleging that her office is colluding with a Kuki militant group led by her husband, Thangboi Kipgen. In the letter, the legislators describe the situation in Manipur as having reached a ‘critical and volatile stage’, and warn that without decisive intervention, the state risks descending into an uncontrollable situation. The MLAs have made five main demands. They have called for the immediate arrest of Kuki-Zo leaders who they say have publicly claimed responsibility for the killing and dismemberment of six Naga citizens, as well as the arrest of Thangboi Kipgen, whom they identify with the militant outfit KNF-P. The letter alleges that cadres under a commander identified as 'Tiger' Kipgen carried out the killings, and makes serious, unverified claims about his conduct, demanding he be apprehended and punished under law. The legislators have also sought direct action against Nemcha Kipgen, alleging that her office's alignment with her husband's militant group has undermined public confidence in the state's peace process. Additionally, they have demanded the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations agreement, the tripartite arrangement between the Centre, the Manipur government and Kuki militant groups, citing repeated violations and continuing attacks on civilians. To support their case, the MLAs cited a string of recent incidents, including the killing of four Naga men in an ambush on IT Road on August 27, whose bodies they say remain unclaimed in protest over the lack of arrests in the earlier killings. They also referenced an ambush on NH-202 near TM Kasom on April 18, 2026, which left two dead, and an attack on the Naga village of Langka on August 14, 2026, in which two farmers were killed and the village allegedly burnt down. These claims, as detailed in the letter, have not been independently verified. The legislators concluded with a pointed warning about their continued political support to the state government, saying they would be unable to defend their backing of the administration to the public if their demands were not met. They described the appeal as being made solely in the interest of restoring peace in Manipur. The letter comes against the backdrop of prolonged ethnic tensions between the Meitei, Naga and Kuki-Zo communities, which have persisted since violence first erupted in the state in May 2023. Manipur's coalition government includes representation from multiple communities, including at the deputy chief minister level. Neither Nemcha Kipgen's office nor Thangboi Kipgen has issued a public response to the allegations so far. This is a developing story.

The MLAs have made five demands. They have called for the immediate arrest of Kuki-Zo leaders who they say have publicly claimed responsibility for the killing and dismemberment of six Naga citizens, as well as the arrest of Thangboi Kipgen, whom they identify with the militant outfit KNF-P

A fresh push to operationalise Kolkata's long-dormant Behala Airport has gathered momentum, with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari writing to Union Minister of Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and the state's Minister of State for Youth Services &amp; Sports, Dr Indranil Khan, holding a face-to-face meeting with the Union Minister in New Delhi on Monday.<h2>The Delhi Meeting</h2>Dr Khan met Naidu at his office in the national capital on Monday evening. Taking to social media afterwards, Khan said he was "delighted" to meet the Union Minister at his New Delhi office, and that he had urged him to operationalise the airport, expressing hope for a new era of civil aviation connecting Kolkata with the rest of India.&nbsp;Khan also thanked Chief Minister Adhikari for backing the initiative, noting the CM's willingness to extend full cooperation and support to the Centre on the matter. According to Khan, reviving the airport would give a boost to industrial growth in Kolkata and South 24 Parganas, strengthen regional connectivity, aid medical evacuation, and support tourism and trade across the state.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/activists-urge-india-to-intervene-as-hindu-persecution-in-bangladesh-continues-say-rights-leaders-face-politically-motivated-cases-1788185506059">Activists urge India to intervene as Hindu persecution in Bangladesh continues, say rights leaders face ‘politically motivated’ cases</a><h2>The Chief Minister's Letter</h2>In a formal communication to the Union Minister, Adhikari laid out the technical case for reviving the facility. According to the letter, Behala Airport currently has a runway of 915 metres — sufficient, it states, for ATR-72 aircraft, air ambulances, and chartered flights. A recent drone survey found the airport spans roughly 215.59 acres across three mouzas in the Kolkata block: Gopalpur, Behala, and Poroui.&nbsp;The Chief Minister argued that reviving the airport would help decongest Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport, while giving a lift to industry, connectivity, medical evacuation capacity, and tourism and trade in South Bengal. He asked the Union government to take steps toward operationalisation and consider starting commercial and UDAN regional-connectivity flights "at the earliest," pledging the state's support on land, security, and other clearances needed to move the project forward.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nepal-floods-36-west-bengal-pilgrims-missing-as-state-centre-launch-rescue-coordination-1787817856319">Nepal floods: 36 West Bengal pilgrims missing as State, Centre launch rescue coordination</a><h2>The Union Minister's Response</h2>Responding on social media, Naidu welcomed the outreach, saying it was good to hear from Khan about the possibilities opening up for Bengal. He struck an optimistic note about expanding air connectivity in the state, indicating that more airports — including Behala — would be brought into operation as part of a broader push to open up business opportunities in Bengal.<h2>Why It Matters</h2>Behala Airport has sat largely unused for decades despite its proximity to south Kolkata and South 24 Parganas. If revived, officials say it could ease pressure on the increasingly congested NSCBI Airport, create a new gateway for regional and chartered flights, and support emergency medical evacuations — while opening fresh avenues for trade and tourism in the southern part of the state. With both the state government and the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation now publicly signalling intent, attention will turn to whether concrete steps — land clearance, security approvals, and UDAN scheme enrollment — follow in the coming months.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has reacted positively to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's push to revive Kolkata's Behala Airport, opening doors for expanded regional air connectivity under UDAN.

A fresh push to operationalise Kolkata's long-dormant Behala Airport has gathered momentum, with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari writing to Union Minister of Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and the state's Minister of State for Youth Services & Sports, Dr Indranil Khan, holding a face-to-face meeting with the Union Minister in New Delhi on Monday. The Delhi Meeting Dr Khan met Naidu at his office in the national capital on Monday evening. Taking to social media afterwards, Khan said he was "delighted" to meet the Union Minister at his New Delhi office, and that he had urged him to operationalise the airport, expressing hope for a new era of civil aviation connecting Kolkata with the rest of India. Khan also thanked Chief Minister Adhikari for backing the initiative, noting the CM's willingness to extend full cooperation and support to the Centre on the matter. According to Khan, reviving the airport would give a boost to industrial growth in Kolkata and South 24 Parganas, strengthen regional connectivity, aid medical evacuation, and support tourism and trade across the state. Also read: Activists urge India to intervene as Hindu persecution in Bangladesh continues, say rights leaders face ‘politically motivated’ cases The Chief Minister's Letter In a formal communication to the Union Minister, Adhikari laid out the technical case for reviving the facility. According to the letter, Behala Airport currently has a runway of 915 metres — sufficient, it states, for ATR-72 aircraft, air ambulances, and chartered flights. A recent drone survey found the airport spans roughly 215.59 acres across three mouzas in the Kolkata block: Gopalpur, Behala, and Poroui. The Chief Minister argued that reviving the airport would help decongest Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport, while giving a lift to industry, connectivity, medical evacuation capacity, and tourism and trade in South Bengal. He asked the Union government to take steps toward operationalisation and consider starting commercial and UDAN regional-connectivity flights "at the earliest," pledging the state's support on land, security, and other clearances needed to move the project forward. Also read: Nepal floods: 36 West Bengal pilgrims missing as State, Centre launch rescue coordination The Union Minister's Response Responding on social media, Naidu welcomed the outreach, saying it was good to hear from Khan about the possibilities opening up for Bengal. He struck an optimistic note about expanding air connectivity in the state, indicating that more airports — including Behala — would be brought into operation as part of a broader push to open up business opportunities in Bengal. Why It Matters Behala Airport has sat largely unused for decades despite its proximity to south Kolkata and South 24 Parganas. If revived, officials say it could ease pressure on the increasingly congested NSCBI Airport, create a new gateway for regional and chartered flights, and support emergency medical evacuations — while opening fresh avenues for trade and tourism in the southern part of the state. With both the state government and the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation now publicly signalling intent, attention will turn to whether concrete steps — land clearance, security approvals, and UDAN scheme enrollment — follow in the coming months.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has reacted positively to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's push to revive Kolkata's Behala Airport, opening doors for expanded regional air connectivity under UDAN.

Bengal CM pushes Behala airport revival, Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu responds positively

Human rights organisations on Monday demanded that the Indian government take urgent diplomatic action against what they described as escalating persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, while calling for the release of four prominent minority-rights figures currently jailed or barred from receiving medical care.&nbsp;At a press conference held at the Kolkata Press Club, representatives of the Campaign Against Atrocities on Minorities in Bangladesh (CAAMB), the All-India Refugee Front, Secular Mission and Human Rights Beyond Frontiers Foundation presented data documenting hundreds of attacks on religious minorities since the political upheaval of August 2024.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/doomsayers-doomed-india-s-gdp-grows-7-8-in-first-quarter-domestic-economy-gives-boost-amid-global-tensions-1788179210296">‘Doomsayers doomed’: India’s GDP grows 7.8% in first quarter, domestic economy gives boost amid global tensions</a>&nbsp;According to figures released by the groups, 66 members of religious minorities were killed in 2025 alone, alongside dozens of incidents involving vandalism of temples, land seizures and attacks on homes and businesses. In the first half of 2026, organisers said, 44 more minority-community members were killed in 40 separate incidents.&nbsp;The activists — Mohit Ray, Sujit Shikdar, Osman Mallik and Shantanu Singha — singled out the cases of four rights advocates they said were being targeted for their activism: journalist and filmmaker Shahriar Kabir, economist Dr. Abul Barkat, lawyer Rana Dasgupta, and monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/islam-superior-to-all-other-religions-says-karnataka-minister-basavaraj-rayareddy-bjp-demands-apology-1788123594820">‘Islam superior to all other religions,’ says Karnataka minister Basavaraj Rayareddy; BJP demands apology</a>&nbsp;Kabir, 76, has been imprisoned since September 2024 and now faces a murder charge before the International Crimes Tribunal despite deteriorating health, the groups said. Barkat, 72, was arrested in July 2025 and, though granted bail this June, still faces multiple pending cases. Dasgupta, 77, who has prostate cancer, has reportedly been unable to appear publicly for nearly two years, cutting him off from treatment. Organisers said he had been "pushed towards death due to the lack of medical treatment."&nbsp;Brahmachari, arrested in November 2024, was implicated in a lawyer's murder in Chattogram despite what organisers say is court evidence placing him in custody at the time. His ailing mother has reportedly appealed directly to Bangladesh's leadership for his release.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pak-based-terrorist-handlers-isi-using-porn-sites-and-encrypted-apps-to-communicate-with-recruits-in-j-k-1788115668072">Pak-based terrorist handlers, ISI using porn sites and encrypted apps to communicate with ‘recruits’ in J&amp;K</a>&nbsp;Rights activist Mohit Ray told reporters that Hindus in Bangladesh are "in danger" and that it is "quite distressing they can't even come to India."&nbsp;The groups called on New Delhi to summon Bangladesh's High Commissioner, issue a formal diplomatic note, and raise the matter with international human rights bodies, warning that inaction would be "humiliating for India" and damage its global standing. Organisers said they would forward their appeal directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari arrested in November 2024, was implicated in a lawyer's murder in Chattogram despite what organisers say is court evidence placing him in custody at the time. His ailing mother has reportedly appealed directly to Bangladesh's leadership for his release.

Human rights organisations on Monday demanded that the Indian government take urgent diplomatic action against what they described as escalating persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, while calling for the release of four prominent minority-rights figures currently jailed or barred from receiving medical care. At a press conference held at the Kolkata Press Club, representatives of the Campaign Against Atrocities on Minorities in Bangladesh (CAAMB), the All-India Refugee Front, Secular Mission and Human Rights Beyond Frontiers Foundation presented data documenting hundreds of attacks on religious minorities since the political upheaval of August 2024. Also Read: ‘Doomsayers doomed’: India’s GDP grows 7.8% in first quarter, domestic economy gives boost amid global tensions According to figures released by the groups, 66 members of religious minorities were killed in 2025 alone, alongside dozens of incidents involving vandalism of temples, land seizures and attacks on homes and businesses. In the first half of 2026, organisers said, 44 more minority-community members were killed in 40 separate incidents. The activists — Mohit Ray, Sujit Shikdar, Osman Mallik and Shantanu Singha — singled out the cases of four rights advocates they said were being targeted for their activism: journalist and filmmaker Shahriar Kabir, economist Dr. Abul Barkat, lawyer Rana Dasgupta, and monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. Also Read: ‘Islam superior to all other religions,’ says Karnataka minister Basavaraj Rayareddy; BJP demands apology Kabir, 76, has been imprisoned since September 2024 and now faces a murder charge before the International Crimes Tribunal despite deteriorating health, the groups said. Barkat, 72, was arrested in July 2025 and, though granted bail this June, still faces multiple pending cases. Dasgupta, 77, who has prostate cancer, has reportedly been unable to appear publicly for nearly two years, cutting him off from treatment. Organisers said he had been "pushed towards death due to the lack of medical treatment." Brahmachari, arrested in November 2024, was implicated in a lawyer's murder in Chattogram despite what organisers say is court evidence placing him in custody at the time. His ailing mother has reportedly appealed directly to Bangladesh's leadership for his release. Also Read: Pak-based terrorist handlers, ISI using porn sites and encrypted apps to communicate with ‘recruits’ in J&K Rights activist Mohit Ray told reporters that Hindus in Bangladesh are "in danger" and that it is "quite distressing they can't even come to India." The groups called on New Delhi to summon Bangladesh's High Commissioner, issue a formal diplomatic note, and raise the matter with international human rights bodies, warning that inaction would be "humiliating for India" and damage its global standing. Organisers said they would forward their appeal directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari arrested in November 2024, was implicated in a lawyer's murder in Chattogram despite what organisers say is court evidence placing him in custody at the time. His ailing mother has reportedly appealed directly to Bangladesh's leadership for his release.

Activists urge India to intervene as Hindu persecution in Bangladesh continues, say rights leaders face ‘politically motivated’ cases

The Manipur High Court on Monday (Aug 31) directed that the Census exercise in the state be kept in abeyance until further orders, a day before the house-listing operation was scheduled to begin on September 1, following sustained protests from civil society groups demanding the process be linked to an updated National Register of Citizens (NRC).The court’s special bench, comprising Chief Justice M Sundar and Justice A Guneswar Sharma, stated: “In the light of stated positions of respondents (Central and State Governments) the house listing operation of Census of India, 2027 scheduled to commence tomorrow (Sept 1) shall be kept in abeyance by State Government until next listing, which will be on October 12.”Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-meets-russia-president-putin-for-bilateral-talks-says-every-day-of-war-sets-humanity-back-1788184510346">PM Modi meets Russia President Putin for bilateral talks, says 'every day of war sets humanity back'</a><h2>The petitions</h2>The bench heard a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA) and a separate writ petition filed by Shanta Nahakpam, convenor of a coalition of 14 civil society organisations. According to Nahakpam, the petitions sought directions for updating the NRC using 1951 as the base year, and for addressing concerns over alleged illegal migration before the Census proceeds.During Monday’s hearing, lawyers representing the Centre and the Manipur government informed the court that the Census exercise would remain deferred, Nahakpam said.<h2>Migration concerns cited</h2>The petitions raise concerns over alleged illegal migration from neighbouring Myanmar and its potential impact on the state’s indigenous population. Nahakpam said civil society groups had been campaigning for four to five months for the Census to be postponed until alleged illegal immigrants are identified and deported, adding that conducting delimitation while these concerns remain unresolved “would not ensure justice for Manipur’s indigenous communities.”He said the groups turned to legal intervention after concluding that agitation alone would not resolve the issue.<h2>CSOs push for tripartite talks</h2>Separately, a delegation of Manipur civil society organisations had urged the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to convene tripartite talks involving the Union government, the state government, and representatives of different communities before the Census proceeds, arguing that citizenship-related concerns must be resolved first for the exercise to gain acceptance across the state.<h2>What’s next</h2>The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for October 12, 2026, the same date set for the next house-listing operation, according to the court’s order.The development comes amid heightened sensitivities in Manipur around demography, citizenship and delimitation, following prolonged ethnic tensions in the state since 2023.

The Manipur High Court deferred the Census house-listing operation until October 12, responding to petitions demanding that illegal immigrants be identified and an updated NRC be implemented before proceeding.

The Manipur High Court on Monday (Aug 31) directed that the Census exercise in the state be kept in abeyance until further orders, a day before the house-listing operation was scheduled to begin on September 1, following sustained protests from civil society groups demanding the process be linked to an updated National Register of Citizens (NRC). The court’s special bench, comprising Chief Justice M Sundar and Justice A Guneswar Sharma, stated: “In the light of stated positions of respondents (Central and State Governments) the house listing operation of Census of India, 2027 scheduled to commence tomorrow (Sept 1) shall be kept in abeyance by State Government until next listing, which will be on October 12.” Also read: PM Modi meets Russia President Putin for bilateral talks, says 'every day of war sets humanity back' The petitions The bench heard a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA) and a separate writ petition filed by Shanta Nahakpam, convenor of a coalition of 14 civil society organisations. According to Nahakpam, the petitions sought directions for updating the NRC using 1951 as the base year, and for addressing concerns over alleged illegal migration before the Census proceeds. During Monday’s hearing, lawyers representing the Centre and the Manipur government informed the court that the Census exercise would remain deferred, Nahakpam said. Migration concerns cited The petitions raise concerns over alleged illegal migration from neighbouring Myanmar and its potential impact on the state’s indigenous population. Nahakpam said civil society groups had been campaigning for four to five months for the Census to be postponed until alleged illegal immigrants are identified and deported, adding that conducting delimitation while these concerns remain unresolved “would not ensure justice for Manipur’s indigenous communities.” He said the groups turned to legal intervention after concluding that agitation alone would not resolve the issue. CSOs push for tripartite talks Separately, a delegation of Manipur civil society organisations had urged the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to convene tripartite talks involving the Union government, the state government, and representatives of different communities before the Census proceeds, arguing that citizenship-related concerns must be resolved first for the exercise to gain acceptance across the state. What’s next The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for October 12, 2026, the same date set for the next house-listing operation, according to the court’s order. The development comes amid heightened sensitivities in Manipur around demography, citizenship and delimitation, following prolonged ethnic tensions in the state since 2023.

The Manipur High Court deferred the Census house-listing operation until October 12, responding to petitions demanding that illegal immigrants be identified and an updated NRC be implemented before proceeding.

Manipur census deferred till October 12 after high court order amidst NRC demands

The West Bengal government has formally submitted a proposal to the Union government, insisting that the interests of the state's rivers, ports and industries must not be compromised in any way as India prepares to renegotiate the 30-year Ganga-Padma water-sharing treaty with Bangladesh. The landmark agreement, first signed in 1996, is set to expire in December this year. Ahead of the deadline, representatives of the state government presented a detailed report on the matter before an internal committee of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, flagging a series of concerns that officials say could have far-reaching consequences for North Bengal and the state's riverine economy if left unaddressed in the new pact.<h2>Farakka flow critical for Kolkata port operations</h2>At the heart of the state's submission is the demand that adequate water flow be maintained through the Bhagirathi-Hooghly river via the Farakka Barrage during the dry season months. "Any reduction in the lean-season flow at Farakka does not remain a localised issue- it directly threatens the navigability of the Hooghly, which in turn puts shipping operations at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port at risk. The port is a critical gateway for eastern India's trade, and its viability depends on the river being kept navigable through the year," a senior state government official said, explaining why the flow issue has been placed at the centre of West Bengal's proposal.<h2>Erosion and flood risk in upstream districts</h2>The state has also warned that a diminished water flow could aggravate riverbank erosion and silt accumulation, worsening flood conditions in districts on both the upstream and downstream sides of the barrage. "Malda, Murshidabad and Nadia are already vulnerable to erosion and seasonal flooding. If the flow regime is altered without factoring in these districts' ground realities, we could see accelerated land loss and more frequent flood distress in these areas. This is not a hypothetical risk, it is something these districts have lived with for decades," the official added, underlining why the state wants erosion management written into the treaty framework itself.<h2>Arsenic contamination adds urgency to drinking water concerns</h2>Officials pointed out that the stakes extend beyond navigation and erosion. With groundwater levels declining and arsenic contamination affecting parts of the state, treated Ganga water has increasingly become a primary source for both drinking water supply and industrial use. Given how dependent our public health infrastructure has become on treated river water, especially in arsenic-affected belts, any compromise on the quantum or quality of flow in the new agreement will have consequences that go far beyond agriculture or shipping, it becomes a direct public health and industrial security issue for the state. &nbsp;Taking this into account, the state has urged that the renewed agreement accord ‘special importance’ to environmental risk assessment, erosion prevention, and long-term water security for the region.<h2>Call for consultation through Joint Rivers Commission</h2>West Bengal has additionally pressed for detailed discussions at the administrative level of the India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission before the Centre arrives at any final decision on the treaty's terms. "A treaty of this scale and duration needs to be negotiated with full participation of the state that bears its direct consequences. We have asked that no conclusions be finalised without a thorough round of administrative-level deliberations through the Joint Rivers Commission," the official said.<h2>Technical assessments already underway</h2>Meanwhile, technical teams from India and Bangladesh have already begun on-ground measurement of water flow and data collection along the Ganga-Padma system, focusing on the Farakka and Hardinge Bridge areas, a process expected to feed into the eventual terms of the renewed agreement.

The landmark agreement, first signed in 1996, is set to expire in December this year

The West Bengal government has formally submitted a proposal to the Union government, insisting that the interests of the state's rivers, ports and industries must not be compromised in any way as India prepares to renegotiate the 30-year Ganga-Padma water-sharing treaty with Bangladesh. The landmark agreement, first signed in 1996, is set to expire in December this year. Ahead of the deadline, representatives of the state government presented a detailed report on the matter before an internal committee of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, flagging a series of concerns that officials say could have far-reaching consequences for North Bengal and the state's riverine economy if left unaddressed in the new pact. Farakka flow critical for Kolkata port operations At the heart of the state's submission is the demand that adequate water flow be maintained through the Bhagirathi-Hooghly river via the Farakka Barrage during the dry season months. "Any reduction in the lean-season flow at Farakka does not remain a localised issue- it directly threatens the navigability of the Hooghly, which in turn puts shipping operations at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port at risk. The port is a critical gateway for eastern India's trade, and its viability depends on the river being kept navigable through the year," a senior state government official said, explaining why the flow issue has been placed at the centre of West Bengal's proposal. Erosion and flood risk in upstream districts The state has also warned that a diminished water flow could aggravate riverbank erosion and silt accumulation, worsening flood conditions in districts on both the upstream and downstream sides of the barrage. "Malda, Murshidabad and Nadia are already vulnerable to erosion and seasonal flooding. If the flow regime is altered without factoring in these districts' ground realities, we could see accelerated land loss and more frequent flood distress in these areas. This is not a hypothetical risk, it is something these districts have lived with for decades," the official added, underlining why the state wants erosion management written into the treaty framework itself. Arsenic contamination adds urgency to drinking water concerns Officials pointed out that the stakes extend beyond navigation and erosion. With groundwater levels declining and arsenic contamination affecting parts of the state, treated Ganga water has increasingly become a primary source for both drinking water supply and industrial use. Given how dependent our public health infrastructure has become on treated river water, especially in arsenic-affected belts, any compromise on the quantum or quality of flow in the new agreement will have consequences that go far beyond agriculture or shipping, it becomes a direct public health and industrial security issue for the state. Taking this into account, the state has urged that the renewed agreement accord ‘special importance’ to environmental risk assessment, erosion prevention, and long-term water security for the region. Call for consultation through Joint Rivers Commission West Bengal has additionally pressed for detailed discussions at the administrative level of the India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission before the Centre arrives at any final decision on the treaty's terms. "A treaty of this scale and duration needs to be negotiated with full participation of the state that bears its direct consequences. We have asked that no conclusions be finalised without a thorough round of administrative-level deliberations through the Joint Rivers Commission," the official said. Technical assessments already underway Meanwhile, technical teams from India and Bangladesh have already begun on-ground measurement of water flow and data collection along the Ganga-Padma system, focusing on the Farakka and Hardinge Bridge areas, a process expected to feed into the eventual terms of the renewed agreement.

Ahead of the deadline, representatives of the state government presented a detailed report on the matter before an internal committee of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti

West Bengal urges Centre to safeguard state's rivers, ports before Ganga-Padma Treaty renewal

The Supreme Court has extended, through an interim order on Monday (Aug 31) , the service tenure of eligible West Bengal teachers until May 31, 2027, offering fresh relief in the long-running case over the state's 2016 teacher recruitment process. The order was passed by a bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kumar.Around 17,000 eligible teachers will be allowed to remain in service until the new deadline. Significantly, the court made clear that this is the final opportunity for them to continue in their posts, signalling it is unlikely to grant any further extensions beyond May 2027.The order provides continued relief to teachers who were cleared of wrongdoing after the court cancelled the 2016 School Service Commission (SSC) panel over allegations of widespread irregularities, commonly referred to as the "cash-for-jobs" scam. The Supreme Court had earlier upheld a Calcutta High Court verdict invalidating the appointment of 25,753 teachers and staffers hired through that panel, ruling that the entire selection process was "vitiated and tainted."Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-interacts-with-students-in-tashkent-pays-floral-tribute-to-mahatma-gandhi-in-bishkek-ahead-of-sco-summit-1788162039620">PM Modi interacts with students in Tashkent, pays floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in Bishkek ahead of SCO Summit</a>This is not the first time the court has had to push back the deadline. It had earlier fixed December 31, 2025 as the cut-off for completing the recruitment exercise, but the SSC later sought more time, citing delays caused by a string of writ petitions challenging various recruitment rules, which pushed the deadline to August 31, 2026. With that timeline also proving too tight, the court has now moved the goalposts again — this time to May 31, 2027, while explicitly flagging that this extension will not be repeated.As with earlier rounds, the state government told the bench that the fresh recruitment process is already underway but needs more time to conclude. The extension is meant to let the state complete that process while giving the eligible teachers temporary breathing room in the interim.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pak-based-terrorist-handlers-isi-using-porn-sites-and-encrypted-apps-to-communicate-with-recruits-in-j-k-1788115668072">Pak-based terrorist handlers, ISI using porn sites and apps to communicate</a>The case has been a recurring flashpoint in West Bengal, triggering protests by affected teachers in Kolkata and Delhi, and repeated political sparring, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government previously welcoming similar extensions as vindication of its recruitment overhaul — even as some "untainted" teachers have called such relief only a short-term reprieve, given the case's history of shifting deadlines. With the court now signalling finality, the pressure on the state to wrap up recruitment before May 2027 is likely to intensify.

The Supreme Court granted a final extension to around 17,000 West Bengal teachers, allowing them to remain in service until May 31, 2027, while fresh recruitments are completed.

The Supreme Court has extended, through an interim order on Monday (Aug 31) , the service tenure of eligible West Bengal teachers until May 31, 2027, offering fresh relief in the long-running case over the state's 2016 teacher recruitment process. The order was passed by a bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kumar. Around 17,000 eligible teachers will be allowed to remain in service until the new deadline. Significantly, the court made clear that this is the final opportunity for them to continue in their posts, signalling it is unlikely to grant any further extensions beyond May 2027. The order provides continued relief to teachers who were cleared of wrongdoing after the court cancelled the 2016 School Service Commission (SSC) panel over allegations of widespread irregularities, commonly referred to as the "cash-for-jobs" scam. The Supreme Court had earlier upheld a Calcutta High Court verdict invalidating the appointment of 25,753 teachers and staffers hired through that panel, ruling that the entire selection process was "vitiated and tainted." Also read: PM Modi interacts with students in Tashkent, pays floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in Bishkek ahead of SCO Summit This is not the first time the court has had to push back the deadline. It had earlier fixed December 31, 2025 as the cut-off for completing the recruitment exercise, but the SSC later sought more time, citing delays caused by a string of writ petitions challenging various recruitment rules, which pushed the deadline to August 31, 2026. With that timeline also proving too tight, the court has now moved the goalposts again — this time to May 31, 2027, while explicitly flagging that this extension will not be repeated. As with earlier rounds, the state government told the bench that the fresh recruitment process is already underway but needs more time to conclude. The extension is meant to let the state complete that process while giving the eligible teachers temporary breathing room in the interim. Also read: Pak-based terrorist handlers, ISI using porn sites and apps to communicate The case has been a recurring flashpoint in West Bengal, triggering protests by affected teachers in Kolkata and Delhi, and repeated political sparring, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government previously welcoming similar extensions as vindication of its recruitment overhaul — even as some "untainted" teachers have called such relief only a short-term reprieve, given the case's history of shifting deadlines. With the court now signalling finality, the pressure on the state to wrap up recruitment before May 2027 is likely to intensify.

The Supreme Court granted a final extension to around 17,000 West Bengal teachers, allowing them to remain in service until May 31, 2027, while fresh recruitments are completed.&nbsp;

Supreme Court extends West Bengal teachers' tenure till May 31, 2027, calls it final opportunity

A fire broke out at a food plaza outside Sealdah railway station in Kolkata on Monday morning, triggering panic among passengers and commuters. The fire was reported at around 9:15 am, with thick smoke emerging from food shops near the taxi stand outside the station’s South section. The Sealdah RPF control room confirmed the incident.&nbsp;Three fire engines were deployed to the spot as firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control. The area was barricaded by the RPF, while passengers and members of the public were moved away from the site as a precaution.Firefighters had to break the glass walls and wooden doors of the food plaza to access the fire and pump water inside. Personnel wearing oxygen masks entered the enclosed premises, while commercial gas cylinders were being carefully removed from the area.&nbsp;A firefighter said the blaze was being tackled using water brought by the fire brigade and claimed that the food court's own fire-fighting system had not functioned. He said authorities would examine whether there was any mechanical fault in the system.&nbsp;The cause of the fire has not yet been established. While some suggested a possible short circuit, fire officials said the exact cause would be known only after an investigation. The incident has also raised questions over fire-safety arrangements at the food plaza. According to the officials, a fire had occurred at the same food court a few months ago.&nbsp;The plaza has reportedly been created by converting a train coach and contains extensive false-ceiling structures, which may have contributed to the spread of the fire. A railway hospital is located adjacent to the food plaza, and firefighters were also working to prevent the blaze from spreading towards the hospital. No casualties have been reported thus far.&nbsp;

A firefighter said the blaze was being tackled using water brought by the fire brigade and claimed that the food court's own fire-fighting system had not functioned. 

A fire broke out at a food plaza outside Sealdah railway station in Kolkata on Monday morning, triggering panic among passengers and commuters. The fire was reported at around 9:15 am, with thick smoke emerging from food shops near the taxi stand outside the station’s South section. The Sealdah RPF control room confirmed the incident. Three fire engines were deployed to the spot as firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control. The area was barricaded by the RPF, while passengers and members of the public were moved away from the site as a precaution. Firefighters had to break the glass walls and wooden doors of the food plaza to access the fire and pump water inside. Personnel wearing oxygen masks entered the enclosed premises, while commercial gas cylinders were being carefully removed from the area. A firefighter said the blaze was being tackled using water brought by the fire brigade and claimed that the food court's own fire-fighting system had not functioned. He said authorities would examine whether there was any mechanical fault in the system. The cause of the fire has not yet been established. While some suggested a possible short circuit, fire officials said the exact cause would be known only after an investigation. The incident has also raised questions over fire-safety arrangements at the food plaza. According to the officials, a fire had occurred at the same food court a few months ago. The plaza has reportedly been created by converting a train coach and contains extensive false-ceiling structures, which may have contributed to the spread of the fire. A railway hospital is located adjacent to the food plaza, and firefighters were also working to prevent the blaze from spreading towards the hospital. No casualties have been reported thus far.

A firefighter said the blaze was being tackled using water brought by the fire brigade and claimed that the food court's own fire-fighting system had not functioned.&nbsp;

Fire breaks out at food plaza outside Kolkata’s Sealdah station

By Sunday night, paintbrushes were out again on the Jadavpur University campus. A day after authorities whitewashed slogans the state government had branded "anti-national," students from Left-leaning student groups were already back on the walls- reclaiming, repainting, and daring the administration to erase them a second time.&nbsp;At the centre of the standoff is chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, whose intervention has turned a routine campus dispute over graffiti into a sharply drawn battle line between the state and its most politically restive university.<h3>The Spark</h3>Addressing a gathering outside JU on Friday, Adhikari singled out specific wall writings- including a tribute to Maoist leader Kishenji and messages supporting Palestine-and demanded they be removed. He framed the graffiti almost entirely through the lens of national loyalty, contrasting slogans about Palestine with the more "acceptable" cause of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, and questioning why students would honour a figure linked to insurgent violence while he remained responsible for law and order in the state.&nbsp;Days earlier, on August 24, Adhikari had posted a video objecting to other graffiti- including one reading that fascists deserve "a bullet in the head"- amplifying pressure on the university to act. By Saturday, the administration had complied, whitewashing several contested slogans. Higher education minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay backed the move bluntly, dismissing the graffiti as "garbage" and warning that if the university didn't act, the government would step in itself.<h3>The "Us vs Them" Framing</h3>What has struck students and observers alike is how explicitly the conflict has been cast in binary terms- nationalist versus anti-national, order versus disorder, "we" the state versus "they" the campus radicals. Adhikari's own words leaned into this framing directly, invoking a serious terror attack and a deadly ambush on security personnel from 2010 to argue that celebrating Kishenji amounted to endorsing violence against the state.&nbsp;Student groups pushed back hard against that logic. Indranuj Ray of the Revolutionary Students' Front argued that when a government publicly labels slogans against fascism or in solidarity with Palestine as anti-national, it is effectively admitting to fascist rule itself. He described the freshly whitewashed walls as symbols of what he called an undeclared emergency, vowing that new messages would reappear within days.&nbsp;The Left student body SFI struck a similarly defiant note. Its JU unit secretary said the walls would be "taken back" and repainted with resistance messaging, while SFI leader Gaurav Barman confirmed plans to restore both the Palestinian flag and the "Free Palestine" slogan by Monday — a call, he said, against what SFI describes as genocide in Gaza.As a symbolic first move, SFI members marked several walls on Sunday with the organisation's name and the date "28.02.2027" — effectively staking a claim over the surface until that date, ahead of repainting the full slogans.&nbsp;A poster released by SFI's local committee carried a defiant Hindi couplet, roughly translated as a warning that suppressing dissent on the ground would only see revolution written across the sky — a line drawn from Aamir Aziz's protest poem *Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega*.&nbsp;Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pak-based-terrorist-handlers-isi-using-porn-sites-and-encrypted-apps-to-communicate-with-recruits-in-j-k-1788115668072"> Pak-based terrorist handlers, ISI using porn sites and encrypted apps to communicate with ‘recruits’ in J&amp;K</a><h3>The University Caught in the Middle</h3>Jadavpur University's administration has tried, with limited success, to stay above the political crossfire. Vice-chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee declined to say whether repainted graffiti would be erased again, saying only that he could not comment on the matter. Registrar Selim Box Mandal took a more definitive line, stating that a campus should not host controversial graffiti at all.&nbsp;That ambiguity has left the university exposed to pressure from both sides. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the RSS-affiliated student body whose complaints appear to have helped trigger Adhikari's intervention, welcomed the whitewashing but said the job was incomplete. ABVP's JU spokesperson, Subhajit Saha, said several "obscene and vulgar" graffiti remained and had no place in an educational institution, singling out slogans calling for the CPI (Maoist) ban to be lifted and one praising Maoist commander Madvi Hidma.<h3>Beyond Politics: A Fight Over What Counts as "Obscene"</h3>Not all of the contested art is overtly political. ABVP has also objected to a menstrual-destigmatisation mural declaring solidarity with women who "bleed proudly," positioned near a quote from Mao Zedong on women holding up half the sky, and to a painting of a kissing couple beside a portrait of artist Chittaprosad Bhattacharya. Saha said ABVP has no objection to Chittaprosad's portrait itself and claimed to welcome creative expression — but drew the line at what he called Maoist advocacy and "anti-national activities."&nbsp;Students rejected that distinction as inconsistent. Sociology student Anubhab Gupta questioned how the same painter's imagery could be embraced in one context and condemned as obscene in another, suggesting the real discomfort was with depictions of intimacy rather than any coherent principle. History student Rijupalika Mukherjee went further, arguing that treating open conversation about menstrual health as obscene reflected an anti-woman mindset rather than any real concern for campus decorum.&nbsp;Even faculty pushed back gently against a blanket approach. A senior professor at the university noted that many of the wall artworks carry genuine social messages and that controversy over some content shouldn't be used to condemn all of it indiscriminately.<h3>What Comes Next</h3>Art Against Oppression, a JU student cultural collective, has called on students to bring their brushes back to campus on Monday and Tuesday, framing the repainting as both artistic expression and political resistance. Member Udita Bedajna described the walls as a democratic space that the university's political opponents fear precisely because they cannot control it, vowing that students would not be intimidated.&nbsp;With SFI, RSF, and allied groups all promising to repaint the erased slogans this week, and the state government showing no sign of softening its stance, Jadavpur University's walls look set to become the site of a prolonged tug-of-war- one where every fresh coat of whitewash is likely to be met, within days, by another coat of paint.

At the centre of the standoff is Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, whose intervention has turned a routine campus dispute over graffiti into a sharply drawn battle line between the state and its most politically restive university.

By Sunday night, paintbrushes were out again on the Jadavpur University campus. A day after authorities whitewashed slogans the state government had branded "anti-national," students from Left-leaning student groups were already back on the walls- reclaiming, repainting, and daring the administration to erase them a second time. At the centre of the standoff is chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, whose intervention has turned a routine campus dispute over graffiti into a sharply drawn battle line between the state and its most politically restive university. The Spark Addressing a gathering outside JU on Friday, Adhikari singled out specific wall writings- including a tribute to Maoist leader Kishenji and messages supporting Palestine-and demanded they be removed. He framed the graffiti almost entirely through the lens of national loyalty, contrasting slogans about Palestine with the more "acceptable" cause of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, and questioning why students would honour a figure linked to insurgent violence while he remained responsible for law and order in the state. Days earlier, on August 24, Adhikari had posted a video objecting to other graffiti- including one reading that fascists deserve "a bullet in the head"- amplifying pressure on the university to act. By Saturday, the administration had complied, whitewashing several contested slogans. Higher education minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay backed the move bluntly, dismissing the graffiti as "garbage" and warning that if the university didn't act, the government would step in itself. The "Us vs Them" Framing What has struck students and observers alike is how explicitly the conflict has been cast in binary terms- nationalist versus anti-national, order versus disorder, "we" the state versus "they" the campus radicals. Adhikari's own words leaned into this framing directly, invoking a serious terror attack and a deadly ambush on security personnel from 2010 to argue that celebrating Kishenji amounted to endorsing violence against the state. Student groups pushed back hard against that logic. Indranuj Ray of the Revolutionary Students' Front argued that when a government publicly labels slogans against fascism or in solidarity with Palestine as anti-national, it is effectively admitting to fascist rule itself. He described the freshly whitewashed walls as symbols of what he called an undeclared emergency, vowing that new messages would reappear within days. The Left student body SFI struck a similarly defiant note. Its JU unit secretary said the walls would be "taken back" and repainted with resistance messaging, while SFI leader Gaurav Barman confirmed plans to restore both the Palestinian flag and the "Free Palestine" slogan by Monday — a call, he said, against what SFI describes as genocide in Gaza. As a symbolic first move, SFI members marked several walls on Sunday with the organisation's name and the date "28.02.2027" — effectively staking a claim over the surface until that date, ahead of repainting the full slogans. A poster released by SFI's local committee carried a defiant Hindi couplet, roughly translated as a warning that suppressing dissent on the ground would only see revolution written across the sky — a line drawn from Aamir Aziz's protest poem *Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega*. Also read: Pak-based terrorist handlers, ISI using porn sites and encrypted apps to communicate with ‘recruits’ in J&K The University Caught in the Middle Jadavpur University's administration has tried, with limited success, to stay above the political crossfire. Vice-chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee declined to say whether repainted graffiti would be erased again, saying only that he could not comment on the matter. Registrar Selim Box Mandal took a more definitive line, stating that a campus should not host controversial graffiti at all. That ambiguity has left the university exposed to pressure from both sides. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the RSS-affiliated student body whose complaints appear to have helped trigger Adhikari's intervention, welcomed the whitewashing but said the job was incomplete. ABVP's JU spokesperson, Subhajit Saha, said several "obscene and vulgar" graffiti remained and had no place in an educational institution, singling out slogans calling for the CPI (Maoist) ban to be lifted and one praising Maoist commander Madvi Hidma. Beyond Politics: A Fight Over What Counts as "Obscene" Not all of the contested art is overtly political. ABVP has also objected to a menstrual-destigmatisation mural declaring solidarity with women who "bleed proudly," positioned near a quote from Mao Zedong on women holding up half the sky, and to a painting of a kissing couple beside a portrait of artist Chittaprosad Bhattacharya. Saha said ABVP has no objection to Chittaprosad's portrait itself and claimed to welcome creative expression — but drew the line at what he called Maoist advocacy and "anti-national activities." Students rejected that distinction as inconsistent. Sociology student Anubhab Gupta questioned how the same painter's imagery could be embraced in one context and condemned as obscene in another, suggesting the real discomfort was with depictions of intimacy rather than any coherent principle. History student Rijupalika Mukherjee went further, arguing that treating open conversation about menstrual health as obscene reflected an anti-woman mindset rather than any real concern for campus decorum. Even faculty pushed back gently against a blanket approach. A senior professor at the university noted that many of the wall artworks carry genuine social messages and that controversy over some content shouldn't be used to condemn all of it indiscriminately. What Comes Next Art Against Oppression, a JU student cultural collective, has called on students to bring their brushes back to campus on Monday and Tuesday, framing the repainting as both artistic expression and political resistance. Member Udita Bedajna described the walls as a democratic space that the university's political opponents fear precisely because they cannot control it, vowing that students would not be intimidated. With SFI, RSF, and allied groups all promising to repaint the erased slogans this week, and the state government showing no sign of softening its stance, Jadavpur University's walls look set to become the site of a prolonged tug-of-war- one where every fresh coat of whitewash is likely to be met, within days, by another coat of paint.

At the centre of the standoff is Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, whose intervention has turned a routine campus dispute over graffiti into a sharply drawn battle line between the state and its most politically restive university.

Walls as battleground: Jadavpur University's graffiti war turns into test of 'us vs them'

At least four people were killed, one person injured and another reported missing after armed assailants ambushed civilians on the Imphal-Tamenglong (IT) road in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Thursday (Aug 27), officials said, reigniting tensions between the Naga and Kuki communities in the region. The attack took place around 8:30 am between Makui Ashang and Thananba Naga village—a stretch locals describe as a vital lifeline connecting Naga villages along the IT road. Officials said intense firing broke out following the ambush, though the circumstances and the identities of those responsible were not immediately established.&nbsp;According to local authorities, all four victims belonged to the Naga community. They were identified as Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, founder and principal of Right Path School, T. Khullen; Mariakdibou Wijunamai and Anil Wijunamai, both executive members of Makui Youth Club; and Japou MK, a student leader of Thonglang Akutpa. Gaikamang Ringkangmai was injured and evacuated to a nearby hospital, while Wisobou Charenamai, chairman of the Chawangkining Village Authority, remains missing, with a search operation underway.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/retired-teacher-to-check-noise-on-roof-found-family-dead-by-morning-1787594998821">Retired teacher went to check noise on roof, found family dead by morning</a>&nbsp;Locals alleged that cadres of the Kuki National Front-Nehlun (KNF-N) and Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) carried out the ambush, though the claim could not be independently verified.&nbsp;In a separate development, the Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers Twilang Lhang (KZVV) alleged that armed miscreants attacked Kuki farmers at Naibet village in Senapati district the same morning, around 9:20 am. "The KZVV views the incident as a serious provocation, particularly at a time when the Kuki community along the IT Road has been advocating dialogue, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence," the group said in a statement. This incident, too, had no official confirmation.&nbsp;&nbsp;The twin attacks come just a day after Deputy Chief Minister Losi Dikho held a high-level peace meeting in Senapati with the United Naga Council, alongside CRPF, Assam Rifles and police officials — underscoring how fragile ongoing reconciliation efforts remain. The violence also follows a pattern of recurring ambushes on the same corridor, including an earlier attack that killed two farmers in Kangpokpi.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/manipur-delegation-heads-to-delhi-as-nrc-protests-force-school-closures-1787246178060">Manipur Delegation heads to Delhi as NRC protests force school closures</a>&nbsp;The broader ethnic conflict, which began between Meitei and Kuki communities in May 2023 before drawing in other groups including the Nagas, has already killed over 260 people and displaced 60,000. Meiteis dominate the Imphal Valley while Kukis live largely in the hills; the state government insists there are no formal buffer zones, though it acknowledges sensitive areas. A new coalition government, formed in February after nearly a year of President's Rule, has struggled to contain sporadic violence despite representing all three major communities.&nbsp;With identities of attackers unconfirmed and communal narratives already diverging, the incident risks deepening mistrust just as fragile peace talks were gaining traction. &nbsp;

Four Naga civilians were killed following a shooting on Manipur's IT Road just one day after peace talks. Read the latest updates on the escalating situation.

At least four people were killed, one person injured and another reported missing after armed assailants ambushed civilians on the Imphal-Tamenglong (IT) road in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Thursday (Aug 27), officials said, reigniting tensions between the Naga and Kuki communities in the region. The attack took place around 8:30 am between Makui Ashang and Thananba Naga village—a stretch locals describe as a vital lifeline connecting Naga villages along the IT road. Officials said intense firing broke out following the ambush, though the circumstances and the identities of those responsible were not immediately established. According to local authorities, all four victims belonged to the Naga community. They were identified as Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, founder and principal of Right Path School, T. Khullen; Mariakdibou Wijunamai and Anil Wijunamai, both executive members of Makui Youth Club; and Japou MK, a student leader of Thonglang Akutpa. Gaikamang Ringkangmai was injured and evacuated to a nearby hospital, while Wisobou Charenamai, chairman of the Chawangkining Village Authority, remains missing, with a search operation underway. Also read: Retired teacher went to check noise on roof, found family dead by morning Locals alleged that cadres of the Kuki National Front-Nehlun (KNF-N) and Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) carried out the ambush, though the claim could not be independently verified. In a separate development, the Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers Twilang Lhang (KZVV) alleged that armed miscreants attacked Kuki farmers at Naibet village in Senapati district the same morning, around 9:20 am. "The KZVV views the incident as a serious provocation, particularly at a time when the Kuki community along the IT Road has been advocating dialogue, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence," the group said in a statement. This incident, too, had no official confirmation. The twin attacks come just a day after Deputy Chief Minister Losi Dikho held a high-level peace meeting in Senapati with the United Naga Council, alongside CRPF, Assam Rifles and police officials — underscoring how fragile ongoing reconciliation efforts remain. The violence also follows a pattern of recurring ambushes on the same corridor, including an earlier attack that killed two farmers in Kangpokpi. Also read: Manipur Delegation heads to Delhi as NRC protests force school closures The broader ethnic conflict, which began between Meitei and Kuki communities in May 2023 before drawing in other groups including the Nagas, has already killed over 260 people and displaced 60,000. Meiteis dominate the Imphal Valley while Kukis live largely in the hills; the state government insists there are no formal buffer zones, though it acknowledges sensitive areas. A new coalition government, formed in February after nearly a year of President's Rule, has struggled to contain sporadic violence despite representing all three major communities. With identities of attackers unconfirmed and communal narratives already diverging, the incident risks deepening mistrust just as fragile peace talks were gaining traction.

Four Naga civilians were killed following a shooting on Manipur's IT Road just one day after peace talks. Read the latest updates on the escalating situation.

A day after peace talks, bullets on Manipur's IT road: 4 Naga civilians dead

The West Bengal Health Department has sought an explanation from Malda Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) after 10 newborns died there in a single day during the second week of August, part of a wider toll of 60 child deaths at the facility across the first three weeks of the month.The department has ordered a formal review of MMCH's paediatric and neonatal care, and is simultaneously examining private hospitals, nursing homes and block-level health centres from which many of the children had been referred before their deaths.<h2>Ten deaths in a single day</h2>Hospital authorities have acknowledged the deaths. Speaking to reporters, MMCH Medical Superintendent-cum-Vice Principal (MSVP) Dr Prasenjit Bar said the incident occurred during the second week of August, when around 10 newborns died on a single day. "Eight of the 10 babies were brought to the hospital from outside, while two were born at Malda Medical College and Hospital," Dr Bar said.He said the deaths resulted from a range of medical conditions, including low birth weight, asphyxia, jaundice and heart-related ailments, among other causes — complications that often stem from premature or complicated deliveries and require prompt intervention to survive."We have already sent a primary report to the Health Department and the higher authorities. A detailed report is being prepared," Dr Bar added.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kottayam-man-held-for-selling-wife-s-private-videos-pocso-case-filed-after-4yo-daughter-s-statement-1787643268896">Kottayam man held for ‘selling’ wife’s private videos, POCSO case filed after 4yo daughter’s statement</a><h2>Referral pattern under scrutiny</h2>Officials say the pattern seen in the single-day cluster reflects a wider trend across the month: of the 60 deaths recorded in August, 44 involved infants who were born elsewhere and referred to MMCH only after their condition worsened. That has turned attention toward the standard of care and timeliness of referral at smaller facilities feeding into the medical college, which serves as a referral hub for Malda and surrounding districts.As part of the probe, health officials have so far inspected 16 hospitals and nursing homes. The Health Department is also examining whether there were gaps in the healthcare arrangements available to mothers and newborns, and whether existing protocols for maternal and child health were properly followed at the referring facilities.<h2>Investigation underway</h2>An initial inquiry into the deaths is already in progress, and the preliminary report has been submitted to the state government, though the more detailed findings from MMCH are still awaited. That report is expected to shed further light on the individual cases and the circumstances surrounding each death.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/high-drama-at-pakistan-university-protest-erupts-after-security-officer-opens-fire-manhandles-female-student-1787579436796">WATCH | High drama at Pakistan university: Protest erupts after security officer ‘opens fire’, manhandles female student</a>The Malda district magistrate is scheduled to chair a meeting on Thursday to review the situation and go over the investigation's findings so far, a step that could shape what corrective action, if any, follows at MMCH and the referring facilities.<h2>Wider health department scrutiny</h2>The Malda cluster comes even as the state's health leadership has been focused on tightening oversight of hospital practices elsewhere in Bengal. Earlier on Sunday, state Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee — who has been camping in Burdwan for four consecutive days — proposed a 72-hour restriction on private surgeries conducted at Bardhaman under government insurance schemes, aimed at curbing misuse of free services.The minister flagged a pattern in which patients were admitted for operations, availed free investigations such as CT scans and blood tests, and then sought Discharge Against Medical Advice (DAMA) within minutes — telling doctors simply, "I am leaving voluntarily." He suggested the trend pointed to a well-designed malpractice rather than genuine medical need.MMCH has a history of recurring infant deaths in clusters, particularly during periods of extreme weather or seasonal illness, and past reviews have often pointed to low birth weight, infection and delayed referral as recurring factors — a backdrop against which the current investigation is being closely watched by health authorities and local families alike.

The West Bengal health department is inspecting local facilities after 60 children, mostly referred critical newborns, died at Malda Medical College and Hospital over three weeks in August.

The West Bengal Health Department has sought an explanation from Malda Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) after 10 newborns died there in a single day during the second week of August, part of a wider toll of 60 child deaths at the facility across the first three weeks of the month. The department has ordered a formal review of MMCH's paediatric and neonatal care, and is simultaneously examining private hospitals, nursing homes and block-level health centres from which many of the children had been referred before their deaths. Ten deaths in a single day Hospital authorities have acknowledged the deaths. Speaking to reporters, MMCH Medical Superintendent-cum-Vice Principal (MSVP) Dr Prasenjit Bar said the incident occurred during the second week of August, when around 10 newborns died on a single day. "Eight of the 10 babies were brought to the hospital from outside, while two were born at Malda Medical College and Hospital," Dr Bar said. He said the deaths resulted from a range of medical conditions, including low birth weight, asphyxia, jaundice and heart-related ailments, among other causes — complications that often stem from premature or complicated deliveries and require prompt intervention to survive. "We have already sent a primary report to the Health Department and the higher authorities. A detailed report is being prepared," Dr Bar added. Also read: Kottayam man held for ‘selling’ wife’s private videos, POCSO case filed after 4yo daughter’s statement Referral pattern under scrutiny Officials say the pattern seen in the single-day cluster reflects a wider trend across the month: of the 60 deaths recorded in August, 44 involved infants who were born elsewhere and referred to MMCH only after their condition worsened. That has turned attention toward the standard of care and timeliness of referral at smaller facilities feeding into the medical college, which serves as a referral hub for Malda and surrounding districts. As part of the probe, health officials have so far inspected 16 hospitals and nursing homes. The Health Department is also examining whether there were gaps in the healthcare arrangements available to mothers and newborns, and whether existing protocols for maternal and child health were properly followed at the referring facilities. Investigation underway An initial inquiry into the deaths is already in progress, and the preliminary report has been submitted to the state government, though the more detailed findings from MMCH are still awaited. That report is expected to shed further light on the individual cases and the circumstances surrounding each death. Also read: WATCH | High drama at Pakistan university: Protest erupts after security officer ‘opens fire’, manhandles female student The Malda district magistrate is scheduled to chair a meeting on Thursday to review the situation and go over the investigation's findings so far, a step that could shape what corrective action, if any, follows at MMCH and the referring facilities. Wider health department scrutiny The Malda cluster comes even as the state's health leadership has been focused on tightening oversight of hospital practices elsewhere in Bengal. Earlier on Sunday, state Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee — who has been camping in Burdwan for four consecutive days — proposed a 72-hour restriction on private surgeries conducted at Bardhaman under government insurance schemes, aimed at curbing misuse of free services. The minister flagged a pattern in which patients were admitted for operations, availed free investigations such as CT scans and blood tests, and then sought Discharge Against Medical Advice (DAMA) within minutes — telling doctors simply, "I am leaving voluntarily." He suggested the trend pointed to a well-designed malpractice rather than genuine medical need. MMCH has a history of recurring infant deaths in clusters, particularly during periods of extreme weather or seasonal illness, and past reviews have often pointed to low birth weight, infection and delayed referral as recurring factors — a backdrop against which the current investigation is being closely watched by health authorities and local families alike.

The West Bengal health department is inspecting local facilities after 60 children, mostly referred critical newborns, died at Malda Medical College and Hospital over three weeks in August.

60 children die at Malda Medical College in three weeks, state seeks detailed report

Families across West Bengal are living through an agonising wait, as at least 36 tourists from Kolkata and surrounding districts remain unaccounted for following a devastating flash flood that struck the Rasuwagadhi area on the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday (Aug 26). According to the Nepal Tourism Board, a total of 178 Indians are still missing.<h2>A pilgrimage turned nightmare</h2>The group, organised by Kolkata-based Chalo Jai Travel for a 12-day Kailash-Manasarovar package tour, had left Howrah Station on August 21, brimming with spiritual anticipation. The itinerary had gone smoothly at first — a peaceful first day in Kathmandu, visits to the sacred Pashupatinath and Guhyeshwari temples, then the journey toward Syabrubesi and onward to the Tibet border crossing at Rasuwagadhi.That is where tragedy struck. According to the travel agency, the group of 30 tourists and two tour managers was crossing at Rasuwagadhi around 8:35 am IST on Wednesday when a flash flood tore through the area and destroyed a bridge. Contact was lost by 10:30 am and has not been re-established since. Chilling irony: another group of 94 South Indian tourists had crossed the very same spot just five minutes earlier, narrowly escaping disaster as their vehicle had already crossed into Tibet.<h2>Fragments of hope amid fear</h2>For one family, a small ray of hope emerged. Shubhashree Chakraborty, currently missing, texted her husband early Wednesday morning that she had cleared Nepal immigration, her passport freshly stamped, and that she was waiting on the bus for what should have been a short 15-minute ride to Chinese immigration. Then — silence. The flood hit around 8:30 am, suggesting she and others may have already crossed into the Tibet immigration office when disaster struck. Reports suggest Chinese immigration authorities shut the office by 9 am and moved several people to an army camp for rescue operations. Her husband believes contacting Chinese authorities directly may be the only way to learn her fate.Susmita Bhattacharya (66), a resident of Kasba, left on August 21 with the Mithila Express along with the Chalo Jai group to travel to Mansarovar.“We last spoke to her on Sunday, and had WhatsApp contact on Monday. That was the last time we heard from her,” said Tiyasha Chatterjee, her daughter-in-law.Other families are equally desperate. Sujata Banerjee, whose husband's friend Arindam Ganguly is missing along with his wife Mausumi Ganguly, described the torment of incomplete answers: "We have not been able to speak to them since yesterday. We also called the travel agency, and they told us that they had spoken to them last night and again this morning... They are not giving us complete details, and we are extremely worried and disturbed."Another pilgrim couple who travelled with the Chalo Jai are also missing. Manas Kumar Ghosh (65), a retired employee, and his wife, Dipali Sarkar, left on August 21. Their flat is currently locked. Their daughter, Adrija, lives in Delhi and is studying medicine at AIIMS.Not every story ends in the unknown. Actor Rajatava Dutta confirmed that fellow actor Kharaj Mukherjee, who was in Nepal for a film shoot and had been reported stranded near Pokhara, is safe — though stuck far from the disaster zone with roads blocked and flights grounded.<h2>State and Centre mobilise</h2>The West Bengal government said it is in constant touch with Nepalese authorities and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, and is preparing to send a team of officials to the affected area today. Kolkata Police has opened a toll-free helpline — 1800-345-5678 — for anxious families seeking information. So far, 36 people from Kolkata and other parts of the state have been reported missing.Meanwhile, the Centre has directed Chief Secretaries across all states to compile detailed lists of missing residents, intended to help the Ministry of External Affairs coordinate directly with grieving and frightened families.Four representatives from Chalo Jai Travel have flown to Kathmandu to work with Nepalese authorities in the search. As rescue efforts continue in the flood-ravaged Rasuwagadhi region, families in Kolkata, Hooghly, and Bardhaman can do little but wait by their phones — clinging, as one husband put it, to the hope that even silence from behind a closed border does not mean the worst.

The West Bengal government said it is in constant touch with Nepalese authorities and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, and is preparing to send a team of officials to the affected area today. 

Families across West Bengal are living through an agonising wait, as at least 36 tourists from Kolkata and surrounding districts remain unaccounted for following a devastating flash flood that struck the Rasuwagadhi area on the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday (Aug 26). According to the Nepal Tourism Board, a total of 178 Indians are still missing. A pilgrimage turned nightmare The group, organised by Kolkata-based Chalo Jai Travel for a 12-day Kailash-Manasarovar package tour, had left Howrah Station on August 21, brimming with spiritual anticipation. The itinerary had gone smoothly at first — a peaceful first day in Kathmandu, visits to the sacred Pashupatinath and Guhyeshwari temples, then the journey toward Syabrubesi and onward to the Tibet border crossing at Rasuwagadhi. That is where tragedy struck. According to the travel agency, the group of 30 tourists and two tour managers was crossing at Rasuwagadhi around 8:35 am IST on Wednesday when a flash flood tore through the area and destroyed a bridge. Contact was lost by 10:30 am and has not been re-established since. Chilling irony: another group of 94 South Indian tourists had crossed the very same spot just five minutes earlier, narrowly escaping disaster as their vehicle had already crossed into Tibet. Fragments of hope amid fear For one family, a small ray of hope emerged. Shubhashree Chakraborty, currently missing, texted her husband early Wednesday morning that she had cleared Nepal immigration, her passport freshly stamped, and that she was waiting on the bus for what should have been a short 15-minute ride to Chinese immigration. Then — silence. The flood hit around 8:30 am, suggesting she and others may have already crossed into the Tibet immigration office when disaster struck. Reports suggest Chinese immigration authorities shut the office by 9 am and moved several people to an army camp for rescue operations. Her husband believes contacting Chinese authorities directly may be the only way to learn her fate. Susmita Bhattacharya (66), a resident of Kasba, left on August 21 with the Mithila Express along with the Chalo Jai group to travel to Mansarovar. “We last spoke to her on Sunday, and had WhatsApp contact on Monday. That was the last time we heard from her,” said Tiyasha Chatterjee, her daughter-in-law. Other families are equally desperate. Sujata Banerjee, whose husband's friend Arindam Ganguly is missing along with his wife Mausumi Ganguly, described the torment of incomplete answers: "We have not been able to speak to them since yesterday. We also called the travel agency, and they told us that they had spoken to them last night and again this morning... They are not giving us complete details, and we are extremely worried and disturbed." Another pilgrim couple who travelled with the Chalo Jai are also missing. Manas Kumar Ghosh (65), a retired employee, and his wife, Dipali Sarkar, left on August 21. Their flat is currently locked. Their daughter, Adrija, lives in Delhi and is studying medicine at AIIMS. Not every story ends in the unknown. Actor Rajatava Dutta confirmed that fellow actor Kharaj Mukherjee, who was in Nepal for a film shoot and had been reported stranded near Pokhara, is safe — though stuck far from the disaster zone with roads blocked and flights grounded. State and Centre mobilise The West Bengal government said it is in constant touch with Nepalese authorities and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, and is preparing to send a team of officials to the affected area today. Kolkata Police has opened a toll-free helpline — 1800-345-5678 — for anxious families seeking information. So far, 36 people from Kolkata and other parts of the state have been reported missing. Meanwhile, the Centre has directed Chief Secretaries across all states to compile detailed lists of missing residents, intended to help the Ministry of External Affairs coordinate directly with grieving and frightened families. Four representatives from Chalo Jai Travel have flown to Kathmandu to work with Nepalese authorities in the search. As rescue efforts continue in the flood-ravaged Rasuwagadhi region, families in Kolkata, Hooghly, and Bardhaman can do little but wait by their phones — clinging, as one husband put it, to the hope that even silence from behind a closed border does not mean the worst.

The West Bengal government said it is in constant touch with Nepalese authorities and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, and is preparing to send a team of officials to the affected area today.&nbsp;

Nepal floods: 36 West Bengal pilgrims missing as State, Centre launch rescue coordination

The inquiry panel set up to investigate last week's violent clash at Jadavpur University suffered another blow on Wednesday, as a second member resigned within three days, deepening uncertainty over the probe even as tensions continued to spill onto other campuses across West Bengal. Arunasis Goswami, vice-chancellor of Babasaheb Ambedkar Education University, submitted his resignation from the panel to Jadavpur University Vice-Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharya on Wednesday morning.&nbsp;&nbsp;His exit follows that of Professor Subha Shankar Sarkar, vice-chancellor of Netaji Subhas Open University, who had been appointed committee chairman before stepping down on August 24. Sarkar's resignation came after objections from the RSS-affiliated teachers' body, Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh (ABRSM), which flagged his past ties to the West Bengal School Service Commission, an institution dogged by corruption allegations under the previous government.&nbsp;The panel was constituted to probe the pre-dawn violence of August 20, when ABVP supporters, armed with lathis and sticks, stormed the campus around 2 a.m., tearing down and torching posters belonging to Left-affiliated student unions. The group alleged its members had earlier been assaulted during a general body meeting of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students' Union. Rival rallies followed through the day, forcing police to erect barricades to keep the factions apart.&nbsp;At least four FIRs have since been filed at the local police station, one by university authorities over the campus vandalism, cross-complaints lodged by the SFI and ABVP against each other, and a separate complaint over the assault on ABVP supporters. Police on Tuesday questioned university registrar Selim Box Mandal, whom the ABRSM has accused of leaking confidential university information to outsiders.&nbsp;On Wednesday, ABVP workers staged a protest at the 8B Bus Stand opposite the university's Gate No. 2, renewing their demand that the National Investigation Agency take over the probe. The unrest has not stayed confined to Jadavpur. Presidency University, Calcutta University and Medinipur College have all reported friction between ABVP activists and rival student groups in recent days.&nbsp;The volatility escalated further on Wednesday night at West Bengal State University, where ABVP and Trinamool Congress supporters clashed over arrangements for the Rakhi Bandhan festival. The ABVP alleged that Trinamool supporters had abducted and assaulted one of its students the previous night, and that further attacks followed when they protested, allegedly because the vice-chancellor had allotted festival funds to the ABVP unit this year. Trinamool supporters countered that they were ambushed while preparing for the event. Several people were injured, prompting an FIR from university authorities. Duttapukur police arrested four Trinamool supporters in connection with the incident.

The panel was constituted to probe the pre-dawn violence of August 20, when ABVP supporters, armed with lathis and sticks, stormed the campus around 2 a.m., tearing down and torching posters belonging to Left-affiliated student unions.

The inquiry panel set up to investigate last week's violent clash at Jadavpur University suffered another blow on Wednesday, as a second member resigned within three days, deepening uncertainty over the probe even as tensions continued to spill onto other campuses across West Bengal. Arunasis Goswami, vice-chancellor of Babasaheb Ambedkar Education University, submitted his resignation from the panel to Jadavpur University Vice-Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharya on Wednesday morning. His exit follows that of Professor Subha Shankar Sarkar, vice-chancellor of Netaji Subhas Open University, who had been appointed committee chairman before stepping down on August 24. Sarkar's resignation came after objections from the RSS-affiliated teachers' body, Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh (ABRSM), which flagged his past ties to the West Bengal School Service Commission, an institution dogged by corruption allegations under the previous government. The panel was constituted to probe the pre-dawn violence of August 20, when ABVP supporters, armed with lathis and sticks, stormed the campus around 2 a.m., tearing down and torching posters belonging to Left-affiliated student unions. The group alleged its members had earlier been assaulted during a general body meeting of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students' Union. Rival rallies followed through the day, forcing police to erect barricades to keep the factions apart. At least four FIRs have since been filed at the local police station, one by university authorities over the campus vandalism, cross-complaints lodged by the SFI and ABVP against each other, and a separate complaint over the assault on ABVP supporters. Police on Tuesday questioned university registrar Selim Box Mandal, whom the ABRSM has accused of leaking confidential university information to outsiders. On Wednesday, ABVP workers staged a protest at the 8B Bus Stand opposite the university's Gate No. 2, renewing their demand that the National Investigation Agency take over the probe. The unrest has not stayed confined to Jadavpur. Presidency University, Calcutta University and Medinipur College have all reported friction between ABVP activists and rival student groups in recent days. The volatility escalated further on Wednesday night at West Bengal State University, where ABVP and Trinamool Congress supporters clashed over arrangements for the Rakhi Bandhan festival. The ABVP alleged that Trinamool supporters had abducted and assaulted one of its students the previous night, and that further attacks followed when they protested, allegedly because the vice-chancellor had allotted festival funds to the ABVP unit this year. Trinamool supporters countered that they were ambushed while preparing for the event. Several people were injured, prompting an FIR from university authorities. Duttapukur police arrested four Trinamool supporters in connection with the incident.

The panel was constituted to probe the pre-dawn violence of August 20, when ABVP supporters, armed with lathis and sticks, stormed the campus around 2 a.m., tearing down and torching posters belonging to Left-affiliated student unions.

Second panel member quits JU probe committee amid ABVP-Left clash fallout

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